Crime and Deviance

Char-Da D. Cork

Sociology 1 1

Crime & Deviance

Char-Da D. Cork

This paper will answer explain the difference between crime and deviance. It will also
give an example of both.

Crime & Deviance

2
The books definition

The books definition of Crime (chapter 7, pg. 137) states that crime is any action that
contravene the laws established by a political authority. Although we may think of criminals as a
distinct subsection of the population, there are few people who have not broken the law in one
way or another during their lives. While laws are formulated by state authorities, it is not
unknown for those authorities to engage in criminal behavior in certain situations.
The books definition of Deviance (chapter 7, pg. 137) states that deviance is modes of
action that do not conform to the norms or values held by most members of a group or society.
What is regarded as deviant is as variable as the norms and values that distinguish different
cultures and subcultures from one another. Forms of behavior that are highly esteemed by one
group are regarded negatively by others.
Deviance

Nudity
Bizarre clothing

Vs.

Murder
Sexual assault

Crime

Underage drinking
Going over the speed limit

Crime & Deviance

3
Crime & Deviance

Both, Crime and Deviance are violations of social norms. Its criminal to break formal
norms as where its deviant to break both, formal and informal norms.
Deviance. Example .
If the law states that the speed limit on the expressway is 65mph and you go 5mph over,
along with everyone else. That is not deviant behavior. The police more than likely wont even
enforce that formal norm.
More Deviance
Deviations is basically not normal by norms, values, or laws. Being deviant can fall under
something minor like wearing the wrong type of clothing to a party, but it can also fall under
something major like killing someone. Deviance is behavior that is not seen as normal or
acceptable. So in other words, you can be devious without committing a crime.
Crime.
To commit a crime means to break the laws within society, crimes are acts that are subject
to legal penalties. Most crimes violent social norms and are subject to informal and legal
sanctions. The harm caused by the act is seen to be against society as a whole, not just a specific
person.
Example
A few examples of crime would include the following: Assault that resulted in actual
bodily injury, or in which a weapon was used as part of the assault, would be considered a felony,
theft, murder, rape, selling illegal drugs, and kidnaping. Things of that matter.

Crime & Deviance

4
References

Introduction to Sociology Book

"Difference Between Culture and Society | Difference Between | Culture vs
Society." Difference Between Culture and Society | Difference Between | Culture vs Society. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2015.
"What Is a Crime." - JusticeBC. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2015.